Polypodium

Up to 25 cm in height, the length of the leaves to 50-60 cm, sometimes up to 1 m.

Growth rate

A few new leaves a year

Lifespan

Perennial

Temperature

In summer: 71,6-82,4, in winter it is necessary that the roots of the plant are not supercooled. The plant is thermophilic.

Humidity

The plant adapts to the dry air of the apartments, but it is desirable to provide a high humidity, at least 60%. The pot should preferably be placed in a tray with wet claydite or with moist peat or spray the plant with warm and soft water. It is especially important that the high humidity is at a temperature above 68 ° F. The plant does not tolerate dry air from radiators in winter.

Lighting

Bright diffused light. Ideally a window facing east or west. On the northern window, you need to light in winter, on the southern one – shading in the summer.

The soil

Suitable shop soil for ferns, it must be loose and breathable. For a mixture of own preparation, take equal parts of peat, leaf land and sand. It is better to add peat moss andcharcoal, may be a bit of pine bark. Good drainage is necessary (1-2 cm).

Watering

Requires abundant watering with soft water, but overflow is not permissible, it is desirable to water when the top layer of the soil dries. A plant is harmful as an excess of moisture (in this case the rhizome becomes numb), and drying out. In summer, water every 7 days, in winter – every 10 days.

Fertilizer

During growth, once a month to feed diluted 2 times with mineral fertilizer. However, it is better to use organic top dressing.

Reproduction

Most often, the plant is multiplied by dividing the rhizome during transplantation. The cut must be sprinkled with pounded coal. Plant the young plants in separate pots, not deepening. The first time to keep the plants in a shady warm place, covered with polyethylene.It is quite difficult and rarely reproduces by spores, it is necessary to use a miniteplike with bottom heating. Disputes should be put in an envelope and dried. Then put a brick in a plastic box or another vessel and wet peat on its surface. Pour distilled water to a height of about 5 cm. Sprinkle spores on the peat surface and cover the container with glass or a plastic lid. Constantly maintain the desired level of water. Place the container in low light conditions. A few months later, green moss will appear on the surface of the peat, and then leaves. Plant plants should be when they reach 5 cm in height.

Bloom

Ferns do not bloom

Transfer

The root system of the plant is small, so transplant rarely, as the volume of the pot is filled, every 2-3 years at the end of February – early March. Do not depress the plant, as well as place too superficially. Transplant very carefully, trying to disturb the roots less. It is better to use wide low pots.

Features of care

Suitable for suspended flowerpots, it is also possible to use a support for the leaves. It is not recommended to touch with bare hands. In the summer it is undesirable to take out on a balcony or in a garden. The plant does not like drafts. When watering the water should not fall on the rhizomes. On the flakes, a calcareous deposit may subsequently form.

Difficulties

It can be affected by scabbards, mealy worms and spider mites. With insufficient watering, the tips of the leaves may dry up. The tops of leaves can dry out and from low humidity of air. The leaves turn yellow, and growth slows down when the sun is too bright. Leaves pale and weak with insufficient nutrition of the plant. The growth slows down, the leaves become dark green and dry out with a lack of light. It is especially important to ensure sufficient illumination of the fern in winter, when the leaves can turn yellow and fall due to lack of light.